Kent State University
Mercyhurst University
Golden Flashes Host Mercyhurst for Midweek Rematch at Schoonover Stadium
4/21/2026 9:00:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State baseball returns home to Schoonover Stadium on Wednesday, April 22, for a non-conference midweek rematch against Mercyhurst, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. Eastern. The Golden Flashes enter at 28-10 overall and 15-6 in MAC play, the best winning percentage in the conference and 13th-best in the nation at .737.
First Game in Erie
The two programs met just over a week ago in Erie, with Kent State rolling to a 14-2 victory at Vitali Park. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe homered and drove in two, Alejandro Covas went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases, and Sawyer Solitaria added two hits and two RBIs. Parker Lind earned the win in relief with two scoreless innings, and the bullpen held Mercyhurst to a single run over the final five frames. Mercyhurst has gone 3-0 since that defeat and enters Wednesday at 13-20 overall.
Kent State by the Numbers
The Flashes remain one of the MAC's most complete teams at both ends. Offensively, Kent State is scoring 8.1 runs per game, second in the MAC and 37th nationally, while hitting .288 as a team with 46 home runs, 213 walks, and 87 stolen bases. Solitaria (.320, 10 HR, 33 RBIs, .452 OBP) and Reese (.320, eight HR, 32 RBI, .578 SLG) have developed into one of the MAC's most dangerous one-two punches. The lineup has legitimate threats from top to bottom with Marshall (.281, .462 OBP), Rienstra-Kiracofe (.317, 31 RBI), Belcher (.319, six HR), and Williams (.298, 34 RBI) all producing consistently.
On the mound, Kent State leads the MAC in ERA (5.07), WHIP (1.37), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.31). The bullpen has been particularly sharp, with Evan Holewinski (2.01 ERA, four saves) and Peyton Williams (2.03 ERA, four saves) giving the Flashes one of the most reliable late-inning combinations in the conference.
About the Lakers
Mercyhurst's staff carries an 8.60 team ERA and has issued 215 walks in 259.2 innings, setting up favorably for another productive afternoon for the Kent State offense. The Lakers do have genuine offensive threats worth monitoring. Zachary Kourous (.371, five HR, 32 RBI) has struck out just three times in 105 at-bats, Logan Koslin (.290, .470 OBP) has been hit by 20 pitches, and Jayden Walker (.267, 26 RBIs) is another major threat.Â
Projected starters have not yet been announced for either program. Kent State dominated Mercyhurst convincingly in their first meeting and enters Wednesday with every advantage.Â
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